VITAL INFORMATION ABOUT BELIZE- belizepropertycenter.com

The origin of the name Belize is a little muddy, kind of like the Belize River after a rainstorm! The Mayan word for "muddy water" is belix so Belize may have been derived from it. Or, perhaps a swashbuckling buccaneer, named Peter Wallace, deserves credit for Belize's name. Legend has it that Wallace, who settled in Belize in 1638, was initially pronounced as "Vallis" (as there is no "W" in Spanish) which became further corrupted into Balis or Belize. Our favourite theory combines the Spanish words Bella Isla (Beautiful Island) into the name Belize. National Flag: The shield of the Coat of Arms is divided into three sections by a vertical line and an inverted V.The base section represents a ship in full sail on waves of the sea. The two upper sections show tools of the timber industry in Belize: a paddle and a squaring axe in the right section and a saw

Supporting the shield are two woodcutters, the one on the right holding a beating axe over his shoulder in his right hand, and the one on the left holding a paddle over his shoulder in his left hand.

Above the shield rises a mahogany tree. Below the shield is the motto scroll. A wreath of leaves encircles the Coat of Arms. The Coat of Arms embodies an important aspect of the history of Belize, as the mahogany industry formed the basis of our economy in the 18th and 19th centuries. NATIONAL MOTTO: "Sub Umbra Florero" - These Latin words mean, "Under the shade I flourish." National Flower: Encyclia Cochleatum is the National Flower of Belize. This orchid grows on trees in damp areas, and flowers nearly all year round.Its clustered bulblike stems vary in size up to six inches long and carry two or three leaves.

The black orchid flower has greenish-yellow petals and sepals with purple blotches near the base. The "lip" (one petal of special construction, which is the flower's showiest) is shaped like a valve of a clam shell (hence the name Encyclia Cochleatum) and is deep purple-brown, almost black, with conspicuous radiating purple veins. National Tree: The Mahogany Tree is truly the monarch of Belize's forests. Towering above the canopy of the forest, Belize's 100-foot Mahogany Trees reign supreme with their crown of shining, green leaves.

Only through exposure to sunlight does the wood darken to a deep mahogany red as, when first cut, the wood is a pale yellowish-pink colour.

Mahogany was once the darling of the British Honduras Company, which both dominated and decimated the forestry industry. Indiscriminate logging practices, dating back to the 17th century have depleted mahogany resources.

Any seeds planted today will mature in 60 to 80 years. National Animal: The Tapir is the National Animal of Belize. The Tapir or Mountain Cow is a big bruiser by any measurement. Weighing up to 600 pounds, this vegetarian is the largest land mammal of the American tropics. Dusty brown with white fringes around the eyes and lips, the tapir is kin to the horse and rhinoceros. A strong swimmer that mucks about in the mud shallows, the tapir is protected under Belizean law. National Bird: The Keel Billed Toucan is the National Bird of Belize. It is noted for its great, canoe-shaped bill which is made mostly of keratin (same as our fingernails) and its brightly colored green, blue, red and orange feathers. Toucans are born blind and, of note, their tongues are feathered!

Toucans average about 20 inches in overall length and are found in open areas of the country with large trees. They make a loud, frog-like croak that can be heard for half a mile! Toucans are frugivores (fruit eaters) and eat by cutting with the serrated edge of their bills.

Toucans nest in holes in trees, sometimes re-engineering holes made by woodpeckers by enlarging the cavity. They lay two to four eggs which are incubated by both parents during the nesting stage that lasts from six to seven weeks. Toucans can live up to 20 years if they elude their natural predators - snakes, lizards, birds of prey and jaguars.

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The sighting of a Belize tapir, during daytime hours, is
rare. Central America’s largest land mammal, tapirs can weigh in at 500 pounds
and they enjoy the Belize rainforest
living. Tapirs love taking dips to cool off and munch on the aquatic
vegetation of the Macal River that abuts our Belize Eco Village. Tapirs take refuge in water from predators,
heat, and parasites – with fish sometimes snacking on the parasites found on
their bodies and rare sightings can be enjoyed by those owners that have Belize Waterfront Homes.

Their snout – like a truncated elephant’s trunk – affords them an acute sense
of smell, great for food foraging and detecting predators in the Belize jungles.
Long, flexible, and fleshy their proboscis probes for fruit and foliage,
snagging shoots, twigs, branches and buds which are found in abundance in our Belize
property for sale.

Tapirs’ origins can be traced back 50 million years or so. Ancestors to rhinos
and horses, tapirs can really hoof it in short bursts of …

There are only 20 lots
available for sale in our Belize Eco-Community. Don't wait 'til it's too late.
If you're coming to Belize and would like to book a tour, call us at
1-877-836-2756.

With our magnificent location on the Macal waterway in the
foothills of the Maya Mountains, we're far from ordinary, yet close to all the
amenities San Ignacio has to offer. A US$500 (fully refundable) deposit will
reserve your Belize Homes and secure your
lot for 30 days. We're making great inroads
with construction progress - with 27 homes built and a couple under
construction. If you'd like to see some of our house designs, please let us know. Email us for a list of
lots still available in this Belize eco village! Avoid disappointment. Reserve
your lot today. Real
estate in Belize has become a hot market, especially in the Cayo District, do
not hesitate to contact us we will gladly help with
retirement information as well! Location
Better in Belize Ecovillage
Mile 10.5 Mo…